Comments

NBA Picks

NBA Picks: Must-Win Scenarios to Keep Playoff Dreams Alive

While the end of the regular season hasn’t been as dramatic as we would have hoped for, there are still some interesting scenarios and a lot of teams looking at a must win game tonight in the NBA Odds.

Indiana Pacers
The Pacers got a huge double overtime win last night against the Wizards, however now they have to win again if they want to stay in the East playoffs. A loss tonight and a win from the Nets against the Magic would boot the Pacers from the playoffs. Even tougher for the Pacers than playing on the second night of a back to back after a double overtime game is they have to play the Grizzlies tonight in Memphis, and the Grizzlies need this win to give themselves a shot at a home game to start the playoffs. It’s a tough road for Indy tonight but should we add them to our NBA picks with such a short spread?

Brooklyn Nets
Speaking of the Nets, the press they have received recently from Paul Pierce hasn’t been great, and not only do they have to win tonight and hope for a Pacers loss against the Grizzlies, but they need a win here in order to keep their draft pick this season. Due to the Joe Johnson trade a few seasons ago, the Nets and Hawks could swap picks this year, so it could be doubly devastating if the Nets lose here tonight.

San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have already clinched a playoff spot, but because of the rules about divisional winners having to be in the top four of their conference playoffs, San Antonio needs a win tonight in order to clinch the #2 overall seed in the West. If they lose tonight, they would fall all the way down to 6th, which is a huge leap considering. The West playoffs are a ridiculous mess of must-wins tonight, which could make the NBA odds that much more valuable.

New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are in charge of their own fate tonight, but guess who they have to play tonight? That’s right, even though with a win they could clinch the #8 seed in the West, they have to play the above-mentioned San Antonio Spurs tonight, who are also really in need of a win. This should be a great game to watch between these two divisional foes, but for one of them it’s going to be a bad night.

Oklahoma City Thunder
Last but not least tonight are the Thunder, who are really rooting for the Spurs tonight against the Pelicans. The Thunder need a win and a Pelicans loss to get into the playoffs, and lucky for them they have a much easier contest against the Wolves. Even though the game is in Minnesota, I have no doubt that the Thunder can win this game to put pressure on the Pelicans. However the games start at the same time, so there will be a lot of scoreboard watching in Minnesota tonight. The Thunder are also double digit favorites tonight, so the sportsbooks obviously think they will win this one.